Apple could be planning a crumb-resistant MacBook keyboard

Apple not only has its mainstream products in focus but accessories as well. Soon it could be increasing its focus on the particular segment if a recent patent filing on a new ‘crumb-resistant’ Mac keyboard is an indication. The patent was made public recently indicating Apple to be working on a keyboard that will prevent crumbs and dust to spoil the MacBook keys. The patent also reveals how this problem can be possibly solved.“Keyboards include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress. In some embodiments, a keyboard assembly includes a substrate, a key cap, a movement mechanism movably coupling the key cap to the substrate, and a guard structure coupled to the key cap operable to direct contaminants away from the movement mechanism. In other embodiments, a keyboard includes a base; a web that defines apertures; keys movably coupled to the base within the apertures; and a gasket coupled to the keys, the gasket fixed between the web and the base, operable to block passage of contaminants in to the apertures,” says the abstract from the patent.Since it is a patent, Apple may or may not bring this tech to its Mac keyboards. However, it is for sure that the Cupertino-based tech firm is at least working in this direction.Talking about MacBooks, recent report has pointed out that the company launch a cheaper MacBook Air later this year. The particular laptop is said to arrive in Q2 2018, says KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via 9to5 Mac). The cheaper MacBook Air is said to increase Apple’s MacBook shipments by 10-15 percent this year.Also mentioned is that the price of the current 13-inch Apple MacBook Air laptop in the market will go down after the arrival of the new version. The current 13-inch model is being sold for Rs 77,200 MRP in India. Some of the key features of the device are 13.3-inch LED backlit screen, 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 128GB or 256GB storage and up to 12 hours of battery.